2015-10-01 Tree Board MinutesEDMONDS CITIZENS' TREE BOARD
APPROVED MINUTES
October 1, 2015
The Edmonds Citizens' Tree Board Meeting was called to order at 6:09 p.m. by Chair Steve
Hatzenbeler in the Brackett Room, 3rd Floor City Hall, 121 5th Avenue North, Edmonds, WA.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Steve Hatzenbeler, Chair
Barbara Chase
Barbara Durr
Albert (Jed) Marshall
Rick Zitzmann (arrived 6:25 p.m.)
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT
Crane Stavig
Renee Travis (Alternate)
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chair Hatzenbeler called the meeting to order.
2. ROLL CALL/INTRODUCTIONS
STAFF PRESENT
Julia Munger, Consulting Arborist
Rich Lindsay, Park Manager
Jeannie Dines, Recorder
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT
Joan Bloom — City Councilmember
Board Members, staff and visitors identified themselves.
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
At Board Member Chase's request, an agenda item was added under New Business: Replacing
Vegetation Removed during Public Works Projects.
Board Member Chase moved to approve the agenda as amended; seconded by Board Member
Marshall. Motion carried unanimously.
4. AUDIENCE COMMENTS
Mary Bell, Edmonds, explained she purchased her home a year ago. After an arborist certified two
trees on the property in a critical area (Shell Creek) were dead/hazardous trees, the trees were cut
down. She was informed by staff that she was required to replace each tree with two trees and staff
directed her to the Washington Native Plant Society website to select a native tree. Discussion
followed regarding appropriate trees for the site. Mr. Lindsay offered to visit the site and make a
recommendation with regard to replacement trees.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Board Member Durr moved to approve the September 10, 2015 minutes; seconded by Board
Member Marshall. Motion carried unanimously.
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6. DISCUSSION
a. Arbor Day Event— October 17, 10:00 a.m.
Board Member Chase reported she and Board Member Zitzmann met with Mr. Lindsay and
visited the site where non-native plants will be removed and trees and plants planted. Mr. Lindsay
explained three trees fell in this area during the windstorm which provided an area for replanting.
He reviewed plans for the event:
• He and another staff member will be there
• City will supply tools, plants, gloves, water, table for materials, volunteer form
• Staff will dig holes prior to event for volunteers to plant
• Will likely plant Western red cedar trees as summer drought has made it difficult get
Douglas fir and Hemlock. The intent is to plant native trees originally in Yost Park before it
was logged.
• Will also plant Huckleberry and Elderberry plants
• Only need 5-8 people for planting
• Bring Tree City USA flag
Discussion followed regarding publicity prior to the event, information to include in article (planting
native trees, removing laurel), limited area in Yost Park for planting, doing this smaller event now
and planning a larger event in the future such as Earth Day, and Ms. Munger organizing
educational materials to be available at the event.
Suggestions for future events included:
• Developing a scalable event template that includes outreach
• Outreach to service groups
• Refreshments
• Do planting at a school site (College Place Elementary?)
Board Members Durr, Chase, Marshall, Zitzmann, Chair Hatzenbeler, Ms. Munger and
Councilmember Bloom advised they planned to attend.
Mr. Lindsay offered to contact My Edmonds News. Board Member Chase offered to work with Mr.
Lindsay on an article for the Beacon and send a draft article to board members for feedback.
b. Tree City USA Certification 2015
Chair Hatzenbeler reported former Tree Board Vice Chair Anna Heckman provided information
from past Tree City USA certifications.
Ms. Munger reported she has perused the website and the online application; per Ms. Heckman,
the most challenging part is determining that the City spends $2/citizen on tree -related work in the
City. Mr. Lindsay said he assists with gathering that information.
Ms. Munger reviewed information required for Tree City USA:
• General information about the City (population, etc.)
• Arbor Day Event and proclamation (Chair Hatzenbeler will confer with Council President
Fraley-Monillas about scheduling on Council agenda)
• $2/citizen spent on tree -related activities
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Ms. Munger will determine whether volunteer hours count toward $2/citizen.
7. NEW BUSINESS
a. Tree Board Member Turnover
Chair Hatzenbeler expressed concern there has been a lot of turnover on the Tree Board. Board
Member Brightman resigned following the last meeting. Chair Hatzenbeler encouraged board
members to be involved and to submit agenda topics to him.
Board members identified the following reasons for turnover:
• Negativity from citizens toward the Tree Board regarding the proposed Tree Code
• Frustration with lack of action on ideas
Board members discussed ways to keep members engaged/what members are interested in:
• Existing Tree Code is flawed, needs to be updated
• Connect with community groups
• Need to feel like what the Board is doing is worthwhile
• Don't take comments personally
• Tree Board needs to distance itself from the Tree Code
• Work with Public Works on replanting
• Improve outreach
• Brainstorm board members' ideas
• Schedule speakers
o Board Member Durr will contact Cass Turnbull
• Investigate what other Tree Boards do
o Board Member Marshall will contact Lake Forest Park Tree Board
Discussion continued regarding the need for an Urban Forestry Plan to provide policy for the Tree
Code, the need for staff assistance to develop a Heritage Tree Program, lack of staff support for
the Tree Board, and educating the community about trees. Ms. Munger was asked to inquire with
staff what elements of the Tree Code will be incorporated into the code rewrite.
Board Member Chase moved that each board member come up with one thing to do and send it
to all board members and Ms. Munger before the next meeting; Board Member Durr seconded.
Motion carried unanimously.
Chair Hatzenbeler suggested discussing the ideas at next month's meeting and scheduling them
on future agendas and making goals.
b. Replacing Vegetation Removed During Public Works Projects
Board Member Chase circulated a picture of an area near Daley Place & 81" where trees were
removed during installation of a sewer line; the area is now bare with stormwater waddles and
would be an ideal place for native planting to prevent blackberries from growing. Mr. Lindsay will
confer with Public Works staff regarding plans for vegetation.
8. TREE BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
Board Member Zitzmann relayed he has thought about resigning primarily due to the negative comments
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from citizens following the presentation of Tree Code. He now thinks he will remain; he has learned a lot
and enjoys serving on the board.
Board Member Durr expressed appreciation for Mr. Lindsay attending tonight's meeting and for the City
hiring Ms. Munger. Board Member Marshall agreed.
Board Member Zitzmann offered to contact former Board Member Brightman to obtain the list of
important trees that he developed and his list of recommended street trees.
Chair Hatzenbeler offered to forward the list of Tree Board members and contact information to board
members. He looked forward to seeing board members at the planting event on October 17.
9. ADJOURNMENT
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 7:57 p.m.
Next Meeting: Thursday, November 5 6:00 p.m., Brackett Room, City Hall
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